Small

Recent trends in contemporary art have meant that we've grown accustomed to large scale pieces, be that huge canvases, enormous sculptures, or giant installations.

However, the miniature has always been an important part of contemporary art. Be it paintings, sculpture, or photography as well as small format drawings, the reduced dimensions of the artwork puts new constraints on the artist, forcing them to develop their techniques and artistic finesse.

Jeff Wall, an American photographer known for his large scale photographic prints on huge illuminated boxes, has said that “the scale of a piece is not about the dimensions of it, but about the internal tensions within the composition".

Believe it or not, miniature pieces have many advantages. Smaller formats allow the artists to show off a different range of talents and techniques, and sometimes even create the impression of a much higher quality piece – such as engravings or prints. Creating a miniature is a sure sign of precision and skill.

They are also more practical to exhibit than the enormous artworks: we've all got a little space on a shelf ready to welcome a miniature sculpture, photo or drawing.

Another very practical aspect of miniatures is the myriad possibilities for display: you could put together a full shelf of statuettes, or even a dedicated framing wall – which is an increasingly popular method for display, and makes for the perfect decorative addition to a living room or bedroom. It's a mixed composition made up of an array of pieces – you guessed it – all on the same wall. The diminutive size of the miniatures also makes it easier to make sure your favourite pieces are displayed in pride of place.

Even artists who are known for their monumental works are slowly getting into miniatures, like Jeff Wall in his exhibition at the Cartier Foundation.

The miniature is making a big name for itself as a growing trend across the contemporary art world; from Gaspard Mitz, who creates tiny versions of the interiors of famous art galleries in his 'Box Stories', to the photography of Samsofy, who recreates scenes from daily life with miniscule Lego 'actors'.

Last but not least, the small scale of the pieces means that even big names come with small price tags, meaning that miniatures make excellent presents. So, go on, what are you waiting for? Browse our selection of miniature works now…

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Small

Luce serale dopo la pioggia

Mon little paradise edition

Lanterns of Memory

Les équations du chaos colorés

Einstein & Banksy

On Rhodes

Seashell and Blue Vase

Berris and Butterfly

Cosmic Flyer

Mystic Gatherings

Violon rouge

Groovy David: The Funky Bust Sculpture

Board Game Blend Figure

Color Chaos Monopoly Figure

Geometria

Composición en espirales

View of a Harbor on a Swiss Lake

Pow! #Artvoyou

C'est la main de Laura, pas la mienne Duchamp

Tension number 6

Hublot vue jungle 4

Hublot vue jungle 1

Skiing In Stowe

Nicely Coiffed

Bahamas Signpost

Porto Ercole Harbour

Zermatt Skiing

Birds - Meadow - Sky

Gen #5

Fizzy

Caméléon

Patchwork of Nature’s

Beautiful, Ever-Quarreling Vapor Painting

Upcycle #5 Cactus patch

Estudi (Sol d'hivern)

Summertime

Daylight Walk

L'orage II

Acid party David - Handmade sculpture for home decor

Colours of David

L'arbre résilient

The Goddess Of The Hunt Handmade Sculpture for Home Decor

Lazurine

Trittico D : 1

Trittico D : 2

Providence & Sea Sunset

Inexplicable Dream 1

Inexplicable Dream

Dècollage Picasso (a tribute to P. Picasso)

Wish you flowers nr 11

Au-delà 21

I want to break free

German forest no.11

white flowers

Expression sans nom

The Faure

Landscape pattern

Le bonheur

Pond with water lilies

Mescaline

No Title

Pond with water lilies

Tenderness

2M20

Concrete composition 20

Japanese Ikebana

Bulls Eye

The Evening Meal